In a recent interview with former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, President Donald Trump suggested that Republicans should “take over” the voting process in more than a dozen states ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections, remarks that are already drawing sharp attention and criticism.
During the conversation, Trump argued that Republican-led legislatures and officials should exert greater control over how elections are conducted, framing the idea as a way to ensure what he called “fair and honest” voting. He did not provide specific details on how such a takeover would occur, nor did he name the states he was referencing.
Election experts and voting-rights advocates quickly raised concerns, warning that election administration is governed by state laws, independent election officials, and constitutional protections, and that partisan control of voting processes could undermine public trust and democratic norms.
Supporters of Trump echoed his long-standing claims about election integrity, while critics said the comments risk fueling misinformation and confusion ahead of a highly consequential election cycle.
The remarks come as election security, voter access, and ballot administration remain central issues nationwide, with states already preparing for the midterms under intense political scrutiny.
No official policy changes have been announced following the interview, but the comments are likely to intensify debate over who controls elections — and how much influence political parties should have over the voting process.
